Qualcomm and BMW Unveil Groundbreaking Automated Driving System: Snapdragon Ride Pilot

BMW and Qualcomm announce jointly developed driver assistance system

Qualcomm's driver-assistance system Snapdragon Ride Pilot on the electric SUV, offering hands-free highway driving, automatic lane changes and parking assistance. The jointly developed software stack announced today will be powered by Snapdragon Ride system-on-chips and will make its first formal appearance at IAA Mobility 2025. Snapdragon Ride Pilot is a Level 2+ driver-assistance system, not self-driving, which means drivers will still be responsible for supervising the vehicle's movements and paying attention to the road while these features are in use. The software stack is structured into a series of layers that come together to power the autonomous features. The first is 360-degree perception, which uses a camera-based vision stack to detect objects, interpret traffic signs and provide parking assistance among other functions. An advanced context-aware driving layer uses a combination of rules-based and AI-based models to plan and predict behavior during complex driving scenarios. The stack also uses what Qualcomm is calling a safety-first approach, which includes cybersecurity features and enforces strict global car safety rules like and Functional Safety standards. Snapdragon Ride Pilot is now being offered by Qualcomm to all global automakers, and the chipmaker says the system is already validated in 60 countries worldwide, with the aim of availability in more than 100 countries by 2026. This new partnership is the latest high-tech product for cars from the semiconductor company. Last year they began on AI voice systems for vehicles. They have also on the automaker's infotainment systems. Qualcomm is not the only player betting on self-driving, with companies like and also developing chips and software to power advanced driver-assistance systems.

Qualcomm and BMW Jointly Develop Software Stack for Assisted Driving

Snapdragon Ride Pilot is now available to all global automakers Qualcomm and the BMW Group jointly unveiled a new assisted driving system on Friday. The system, dubbed the Snapdragon Ride Pilot automated driving system, made its debut on the newly launched BMW iX3 SUV. As a part of this partnership, Qualcomm developed the Snapdragon Ride SoC, while the companies together developed the Snapdragon Ride AD software stack. The chipmaker claimed that the advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) is capable of offering up to Level 2+ highway and urban navigation on autopilot (NOA) capabilities. Qualcomm's New Automated Driving System Debuts on BMW iX3 The chipmaker detailed its newly developed in-car ADAS stack and highlighted its capabilities. The company claimed it supports AD levels ranging from the entry-level New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) to Level 2+. As mentioned above, the system made its debut in the BMW iX3, the company's first vehicle in the Neue Klasse. It is said to be validated for use in more than 60 countries. Snapdragon Ride is expected to be expanded to 100 countries in 2026. The development was a global undertaking, involving over 1,400 specialists from Germany, the USA, Sweden, Romania, and the BMW AD Test Centre in the Czech Republic. The core Snapdragon Ride AD software stack features a perception stack developed by Qualcomm and a drive policy engine co-developed with BMW. Its 360-degree perception uses a camera-based vision system built on a bird's-eye-view (BEV) architecture for object detection, lane recognition, and parking assistance. According to Qualcomm, the Snapdragon Ride Pilot focused on a "safety-first approach," bringing standards such as the Automotive Safety Integrity Levels (ASIL), Functional Safety (FuSa), and Safety of the Intended Functionality (SOTIF). The system balances rule-based and AI models for advanced, context-aware driving to safely handle complex scenarios. It is continuously improved via a cloud-based data flywheel system and supports over-the-air (OTA) updates. In the BMW iX3, the system acts as a central "superbrain of automated driving," delivering 20 times the computing power of the previous generation. It enables advanced capabilities like contextual lane changes initiated by driver cues, hands-free highway driving, and AI-powered parking assistance. The vehicle is also equipped with Qualcomm's V2X chipset, allowing it to communicate with its surroundings to reduce collisions and uncover unseen risks. The Snapdragon Ride Pilot is now available from Qualcomm to all global carmakers and Tier-1 suppliers.

Qualcomm and BMW Group Unveil Groundbreaking Automated Driving System with Jointly Developed Software Stack

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250905530382/en/ Highlights: Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: QCOM) and BMW Group today introduced Snapdragon Ride Pilot, the companies' new automated driving (AD) system resulting from a three-year collaborative effort. This state-of-the-art AD system is built on Qualcomm Technologies' Snapdragon Ride™ system-on-chips (SoCs) using the leading-edge Snapdragon Ride AD software stack co-developed by both companies. The system is engineered to meet the highest safety standards and supports AD levels ranging from entry-level New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) to Level 2+ highway and urban navigation on autopilot (NOA) capabilities. Snapdragon Ride Pilot made its global debut today in the all-new BMW iX3, the first production vehicle in BMW's Neue Klasse and has been validated for use in more than 60 countries with expected expansion to over 100 countries in 2026. Snapdragon Ride Pilot is now available to all global automakers and Tier-1 suppliers through Qualcomm Technologies. The development of the Snapdragon Ride AD software stack in Snapdragon Ride Pilot is a testament of global collaboration, with over 1,400 specialists from various locations, including Germany, the USA, Sweden, Romania and the BMW AD Test Center in the Czech Republic, working together for three years to bring this technology to life. "Our collaboration with BMW's world-class engineering team has been truly transformative, enabling us to build a world-class system that is now available to bring the safety and comfort benefits of automated driving to consumers across all regions and vehicle tiers," said Nakul Duggal, Group General Manager, Automotive and Industrial & Embedded IoT, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. "Together, we've created Snapdragon Ride Pilot -- a revolutionary driver assistance system that prioritizes safety and sets a new standard for the industry. We're excited to see this system come to life in the BMW iX3, supporting BMW's vision for intelligent and safe driving, and we anticipate its widespread adoption will drive a new era of innovation and excellence in mobility solutions." "Together with Qualcomm Technologies, we've created a groundbreaking system, which is a significant contribution to the big technological leap we take with our Neue Klasse," said Dr. Mihiar Ayoubi, Senior Vice President Development Driving Experience, BMW Group. "This collaboration has enabled us to develop a cutting-edge driver assistance system, setting a new benchmark. Smart, symbiotic and safe is the core of the BMW philosophy when it comes to ADAS -- our new BMW iX3 will deliver this on an unprecedented level." Introducing the Snapdragon Ride AD Software Stack The Snapdragon Ride AD software stack features a perception stack developed by Qualcomm Technologies and a drive policy engine co-developed with BMW. It is engineered to enable automakers and Tier-1 suppliers to build scalable solutions with flexibility, cost savings and fast time-to-market, with their own drive policy or with a turnkey platform. The stack is structured into multiple layers including: Stack development and testing is supported by the data and simulation factory, a key component of Snapdragon Ride. This toolchain integrates real-world data with synthetic data generation and AI-based simulations to create a robust and diverse set of driving scenarios, enhancing the training and testing of automotive models. The factory's capabilities allow for fast development of automated driving software capable of addressing complex real-world scenarios. Snapdragon Ride Pilot supports over-the-air (OTA) updates and is fully customizable via the Snapdragon Ride SDK, giving automakers the flexibility to tailor solutions across vehicle segments. The software stack leverages fleet data to evolve and enable enhanced safety and comfort over the life of the vehicle. Snapdragon Ride Platform Powers Automated Driving in BMW´s Neue Klasse The ADAS system in the all-new BMW iX3 is built on Snapdragon Ride, which integrates high-performance, automotive-grade systems-on-chip (SoCs) for centralized sensor data processing, advanced computer vision modules for perception, and Snapdragon Ride Automated Driving software stack co-developed with BMW -- including drive policy and safety guardrails. The automated driving system of the BMW iX3 enables advanced capabilities including: BMW's "Superbrain of Automated Driving" -- a central intelligent computer powered by Snapdragon Ride SoCs -- combines automated driving functions, offering 20 times higher computing power than the previous generation. The system uses a unified architecture which includes an array of high-definition 8M pixel and 3M pixel cameras and radar sensors enabling 360-degree coverage and along with high-definition mapping and precise GNSS localization enables a robust system helping to enable safe and reliable automated driving. The BMW iX3 is also equipped with Qualcomm Technologies' V2X 200 chipset to support vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications for enhanced safety. V2X communications allows vehicles to "see" and "hear" beyond line-of-sight ADAS sensors, helping reduce collisions by uncovering unseen risks through direct communication between vehicles and their surroundings, such as road infrastructure, pedestrians, and other road users. To learn more about our Snapdragon Ride system solutions, please read here or visit us at IAA Mobility 2025 in Hall A2, Booth C01, beginning on Monday, September 8. About Qualcomm Qualcomm relentlessly innovates to deliver intelligent computing everywhere, helping the world tackle some of its most important challenges. Building on our 40 years of technology leadership in creating era-defining breakthroughs, we deliver a broad portfolio of solutions built with our leading-edge AI, high-performance, low-power computing, and unrivaled connectivity. Our Snapdragon platforms power extraordinary consumer experiences, and our Qualcomm Dragonwing™ products empower businesses and industries to scale to new heights. Together with our ecosystem partners, we enable next-generation digital transformation to enrich lives, improve businesses, and advance societies. At Qualcomm, we are engineering human progress. Qualcomm Incorporated includes our licensing business, QTL, and the vast majority of our patent portfolio. Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, operates, along with its subsidiaries, substantially all of our engineering and research and development functions and substantially all of our products and services businesses, including our QCT semiconductor business. Snapdragon and Qualcomm branded products are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. Qualcomm patents are licensed by Qualcomm Incorporated. Snapdragon and Qualcomm branded products are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. Qualcomm, Qualcomm Dragonwing and Snapdragon are trademarks or registered trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated.

Qualcomm and BMW unveil their new automated driving system

Qualcomm and BMW unveiled their new jointly developed automated driving system on Friday, described as a 'superbrain' with twenty times the computing power of the previous generation. The American chip manufacturer and German carmaker say that the "Snapdragon Ride Pilot" -- the result of a three-year collaboration -- is based on Snapdragon Ride chips developed by Qualcomm and automated driving software designed by both groups. Designed to meet the most stringent safety standards, the system covers automation levels ranging from basic NCAP program features to 'level 2+' highway and urban navigation capabilities, which allow drivers to take their hands off the wheel in well-defined areas. The product consists of several layers, starting with 360-degree camera vision technology that detects objects, recognizes lanes, interprets signage, assists with parking, monitors the driver, and generates routes. It also relies on artificial intelligence models to anticipate behavior and manage complex driving situations. Snapdragon Ride Pilot has been integrated into the all-new BMW iX3, the first model in the new-generation Neue Klasse platform unveiled today by the Munich-based group, to which it brings advanced features such as contextual and active lane changing, highway assist, AI-assisted parking, and camera-based onboard monitoring.